How familiar are you with idioms for IELTS? Elevate your speaking skills now!

Elevating one's speaking skills in the IELTS test involves not only mastering grammar and vocabulary but also embracing the richness of idiomatic expressions. Idioms add flair and authenticity to language use, making your speech more engaging and demonstrating a deeper understanding of English. In this article, we will explore how incorporating idioms for IELTS  into your speech can enhance your IELTS speaking skills. We will also provide valuable insights into the assessment criteria vis-a-vis idioms for IELTS speaking. We will also discuss how you can use IELTS study material which is freely offered by most online IELTS coaching centres.

Idioms and the IELTS speaking assessment parameters: 

Any IELTS study materials worth its salt will tell you that first and foremost, the strategic use of idioms can significantly boost your lexical resource, a key criterion in the IELTS speaking assessment. Lexical resource evaluates the range and accuracy of vocabulary employed by the candidate. Idioms, being expressions with figurative meanings beyond their literal interpretation, showcase a breadth of vocabulary that goes beyond the basics. By incorporating idioms into your responses, you demonstrate a command over the language that is essential for achieving higher band scores. Any IELTS free study material available provided by IELTS training institutes will emphasise the need to incorporate idioms into your speech to get a band score of 7 or more for the ‘lexical resource’ parameter.

Consider the band descriptors for lexical resource bands 7 and above, with specific reference to idioms -

The band descriptors for 6 and below don’t mention the use of idioms at all.

Idioms convey your thoughts by adding a layer of sophistication to your language and hence, try to include them while honing your spoken English skills using the IELTS study material available for free online. For instance, instead of saying, "I worked hard," you could use the idiomatic expression "I put my nose to the grindstone." 

Secondly, idioms contribute to the fluency criterion by introducing a natural flow and rhythm to your speech. Fluency in the IELTS speaking test refers to the ability to express ideas coherently and without hesitation. Idioms, when used appropriately, seamlessly integrate into your speech, making it more dynamic and authentic. This not only engages the examiner but also showcases your comfort with the language and your capacity to communicate effectively.

Consider the difference between these two sentences:

• Basic: "I am very busy with work."
• Idiomatic: "My plate is full with work commitments."

The idiomatic expression not only conveys busyness but also adds a vivid metaphor, making the speech more interesting and memorable.

Moreover, idioms contribute to the coherence and cohesion criterion in the IELTS speaking assessment. Coherence and cohesion assess how well a candidate organises and links ideas. Idioms serve as linguistic glue, connecting different parts of your speech and enhancing the overall structure. When used strategically, idioms contribute to the clarity of your message, making it easier for the examiner to follow your train of thought.

To illustrate, consider this example:

• Disjointed: "I like to travel. I went to Paris last summer. It was a great experience."
• Coherent with Idiom: "I have a passion for travel, and last summer, I decided to take the plunge and visit Paris. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

The idiomatic expression "take the plunge" not only adds coherence but also enriches the language.

Furthermore, the use of idioms in the IELTS speaking test allows candidates to exhibit cultural awareness and adaptability, aligning with the assessment criteria. Many idioms have cultural or contextual significance, and their appropriate usage demonstrates a nuanced understanding of language in different contexts. This showcases not only linguistic proficiency but also a broader cultural intelligence that can set you apart in the speaking test.

Easy-to-Use Idioms:

Let’s look at some common idioms that you can incorporate into your IELTS speaking test as well as your regular conversations. 

Question: Describe a hobby or activity you enjoy.

• Answer: "In my free time, I like to hit the books and lose myself in a good novel, as it's the perfect way to recharge my batteries."
• "Hit the books" means to study or read intensely.

Question: How do you stay organised in your daily life?

• Answer: "I believe in keeping my ducks in a row; using a planner helps me stay on top of tasks and avoid crying over spilled milk."
• "Keep your ducks in a row" means to be well-organised and have everything in order.
• "Crying over spilled milk" means expressing regret or disappointment about a past event or situation that cannot be changed.

Question: What is the role of family in modern society?

• Answer: "Family is the bedrock of society, providing a safety net and a shoulder to lean on when life throws a curveball."
• "Throw a curveball" means to introduce an unexpected or challenging situation.

Question: Describe a recent trend in fashion or lifestyle.

• Answer: "The trend of sustainable fashion has been gaining ground, encouraging people to kill two birds with one stone by looking good while reducing their carbon footprint."
• "Kill two birds with one stone" means to accomplish two tasks with a single action.

Question: How has technology changed the way people communicate?

• Answer: "With the advent of social media, communication has become a piece of cake, allowing people to stay in the loop and share news at the drop of a hat."
• "Piece of cake" means something very easy to do.
• “At the drop of a hat” means at the slightest signal; immediately, without delay or hesitation.

Question: What do you think is the impact of advertising on consumer behaviour?

• Answer: "Advertising is a two-edged sword; while it can be the icing on the cake for businesses, it also has the power to pull the wool over consumers' eyes."
• "Pull the wool over someone's eyes" means to deceive or trick someone.

Question: Describe a place you would like to visit in the future.

• Answer: "I have a soft spot for historical sites, and visiting the Great Wall of China is on my bucket list – a dream that feels like shooting for the moon."
• "Shoot for the moon" means to set ambitious goals or have high aspirations.

Question: How do you manage your time effectively?

• Answer: "I swear by the saying, 'the early bird catches the worm,' so I try to tackle the most challenging tasks first thing in the morning to make hay while the sun shines."
• "Make hay while the sun shines" means to take advantage of an opportunity while it lasts.

Question: What is the importance of cultural diversity in society?

• Answer: "Cultural diversity is the spice of life; it adds different flavours to the melting pot, creating a harmonious symphony of people from varied backgrounds."
• "Spice of life" means something that makes life more interesting.

Question: Talk about a situation where you had to think on your feet.

• Answer: "During a job interview, I had to think outside the box when unexpected questions were thrown my way, but I managed to stay calm and answered the questions well."
• "Think outside the box" means to think creatively and unconventionally. 

With these, we have only scratched the surface of the whole world of idioms that lie out there waiting to be explored by students like you, not only to ace the IELTS test but also to elevate your language skills to quite another level.  

In conclusion, incorporating idioms into your speech is a powerful strategy to elevate your IELTS speaking skills. By enriching your lexical resource, enhancing fluency, contributing to coherence and cohesion, and demonstrating cultural awareness, idioms offer a multifaceted approach to language use. To prepare for the IELTS test, you can access 200+ Free IELTS Study Materials for Online IELTS Preparation at Yuno Learning. While practising speaking, use this IELTS study material,   and make it a priority to embrace idioms for IELTS, not only to expand your vocabulary but also to assimilate the colourful world of idiomatic expressions into your regular conversations. Idioms for IELTS speaking will not only impress the examiner but also contribute to a more authentic and engaging speaking performance, ultimately enhancing your chances of achieving a higher band score.